There’s nothing worse than cooking in a small student kitchen with very little room and equipment. However, just because you don’t have a complete kitchen kit doesn’t mean you can’t make delicious food! You can still cook more and better even in a smaller kitchen with some creativity and these handy hacks.
1. Make the Most of a Microwave
Microwaves aren’t just for warming up leftovers. They’re even fairly usable for the preparation of whole meals. Scrambled eggs, baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, and even pasta can be made in the microwave. Try combining eggs, a little milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl, and microwave on High for 1 minute or so, stirring in between, until you get scrambled eggs that are light and fluffy. For pasta, put dry noodles in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with water, and microwave them in increments until tender. You can then top them with sauce and seasonings for a quick dinner.
2. Use a Mug as a Multi-Purpose Tool
The microwave-friendly mug can be one of the most versatile kitchen tools you own. Apart from serving your morning coffee, a mug can also serve single-serving meals and snacks. Here are some ideas:
- Mug cakes are super easy to make with just flour, sugar, and baking powder.
- Instant oatmeal is easy to make: just add water or milk and microwave for about a minute or two.
- For a super quick omelet, put eggs and toppings in a mug, microwave it, and you’re good to go.
- Mac and cheese in a mug is great for those nighttime cravings.
- Make a mug brownie with cocoa powder, sugar, and flour, and then microwave for 30 seconds until just firm.
3. Get Creative with One-Pan Dishes
If you are limited to just one pan, you might be unable to prepare a full meal, so one-pan meals are the solution. They’re simple, and these meals save on cleaning up. Stir-fry vegetables, fried rice, pasta, or quesadillas are all possible in one pan. Make a simple one-pan dish: Saute some onions and garlic, veggies, protein, and spices. If you are making pasta, just add enough water or broth to get everything done in one bowl. This is a fast, easy, and delicious way to put dinner on the table.
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4. Go for No-Bake Desserts
Who says you need an oven to quench your sweet tooth? No-bake desserts are a great choice for student kitchens that don’t have much in the way of appliances. There are plenty of foods that you can make without turning on an oven. Try these ideas:
- No-bake cookies with oats, peanut butter, and cocoa powder.
- Energy bites are made from oats, honey, and a mix of nuts or chocolate chips.
- Fruit parfaits with yogurt, granola, and fresh fruits.
- Refrigerator fudge using condensed milk and chocolate.
- Chia pudding with chia seeds, milk, and a sweetener.
5. Repurpose Kitchen Utensils
Little time and space to cook doesn’t mean you can’t think outside the box. Repurpose kitchen items and put them to other uses. A jar works for mixing things up without a bowl, and you can roll out dough with a clean glass bottle if you don’t have a rolling pin. Forks are great for replacing a whisk when you need it.
Get familiar with these kitchen hacks:
- Use a mug or cup as a measuring tool.
- Make a grater by using the edge of a can’s lid.
- Use a fork for mashing ingredients like bananas or avocados.
- A spoon can work as a spatula for stirring and flipping.
- Repurpose a plate as a cutting board if needed.
6. Try Easy, No-Cook Meals
Some days, you just don’t want to make food, or you just have too little kitchen space. If it’s that day, eat no-cook foods. There are plenty of filling, nutritious options that don’t require cooking and are excellent for a quick lunch or dinner. For instance, you can make salads, wraps, and sandwiches using fresh vegetables, deli meats, and cheese. The other choices include yogurt parfaits with granola and fruit or instant noodles. No-cook recipes save time, and they are simple to put together with limited tools.
7. Frozen Veggies for the Win
Students love frozen vegetables because they are inexpensive, convenient, and last longer than fresh produce. They are easy to microwave or pan-fry and are perfect for many meals. Put them in stir-fries or soups, or just have them as a side. They’re chopped for you, so you don’t have to chop them up, and they’re still nutrient-dense, so they’re a go-to.
8. Spice Up with Basic Seasonings
If you’re on a shoestring budget, a few simple seasonings will be all you need to add flavor to the foods you prepare. A small arsenal of basic spices and sauces will make flavors stand out even if you’re only putting together simple ingredients. Get some salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian spices. These can make any meal richer. Even a pinch of spice can elevate food and add flavor to it, making you feel like you’re eating a world-class meal.
Making the Most of What You Have
Cooking with a few tools doesn’t have to be a battle. If you reuse utensils, are creative in your microwave cooking, and use easy-to-handle ingredients, you can make tasty and filling meals with a minimal kitchen. With these easy hacks, you will be able to experiment with cooking in almost any kitchen, even the smallest one.
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